The Lilly Awards, named for Lillian Hellman, were founded to celebrate women in the theater and to advocate for gender parity and equality. They describe 2018 winners as people who “fight back, stand up, speak loudly, and demand more for women.” At last night’s event, Roys was presented with the Mom of the Year Award, for her advocacy and helping reduce the stigma around motherhood and breastfeeding. After receiving the award, Roys was surprised onstage with a song composed in her honor by award-winning composers and parents Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, who wrote the songs for the Disney hit musical “Frozen.”

“I’m delighted to receive this award. I thank the Lilly Awards Foundation for this recognition and for all its efforts to increase women’s representation in theater and beyond. Thank you as well to Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez for the entertaining, witty, and spot-on song you wrote for me and mothers everywhere!

“Elections are about the future, but we don’t have to wait until ballots are cast to make a difference. Millions of people responded positively to our video showing me being both a political leader and a parent. It resonated with so many people because women all over the country relate to the multitasking that comes with parenting.

“Female candidates still face stigma, unfair double standards, and unrealistic expectations, but the good news is that in 2018, women and men are pushing back at these hollow stereotypes and powering unprecedented electoral victories for women at every level. I am glad that we were able to help challenge those stereotypes with Our Girls.”

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